Set-up a Network

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How to Set-up Network Administration

How to Logon the TM Network

 

TEAM MANAGER with the Pro feature includes full support for any peer-to-peer Network to allow you access a shared database from multiple computers.  In this type of network configuration, each computer is connected to a central device called a "hub".  The shared TM Database is loaded on one of the computers so that any of the other computers can access it directly.

 

For example, suppose we have 4 computers connected to a hub.  For the purposes of this discussion, let's name these computers, A, B, C, and D and let's load the TM Database on Computer A.

The TM product software would be installed on all 4 computers on the hard drive C.
The folder on the A computer where the database is located must be given full read/write permissions. To give a folder full read/write permission, use My Computer or Windows Explorer to right click on the database folder (usually c:\TM5Data) and then click Sharing. In the Sharing Menu, check the box to Share this folder on the network and check the box that says Allow network users to change my files. You may also give a Share Name to the folder which defaults to the actual folder name. Rather than just share the database folder, you can also share the entire C Drive by right clicking on Local Disk (C:).

 

Hardware that you will need

Examples of network component vendors are Linksys, Intellinet, Netgear,and D-Link.  Internet sites that you can order from are www.buy.com and www.pcconnection.com.

 

10/100 Base TX Hub.  The cost for a 5 Port Hub would be about $49.00.
Most desktop computers come with a network card built in.  But if yours does not, you can purchase a 10/100 Base computer network card for each desktop computer - Cost about $25.00.
Most notebook computers come with a network card built in. But if yours does not, you can purchase a 10/100 PCMCIA Card for each notebook computer - Cost about $49.00.
10/100 Base TX cable from each computer to the hub.  The cables will connect to an RJ-45 connector in the hub and into each computer's network card.  The cost is about $10.00 for 25 feet of cable.  Or, you can use a wireless setup with the appropriate Network cards and hub.

               

 

Software that you will need

The peer-to-peer network software is included with your Windows 98, 2000, NT, ME, or XP Operating System.  Please follow the appropriate instructions for setting up your particular network system as well as the software drivers included with the network card installed on each computer.

 

 

Continuing with our example, let's assume that the hard drive on Computer A is the one that is shared.  On Computer A, you would start TM and click on File then Open and refer to your local Drive C to store your TM Database.  When you start up TM on Computers B, C, and D, and click on File then Open, specify Drive H and the directory name that was used on Computer A.  For example, suppose you set up the Database on Computer A as C:\TM5Data\MYTEAM and you specified your shared hard drive as drive H.  Then on Computers B, C, and D you would open the file H:\TM5Data\MYTEAM.  Now, all 4 computers will be accessing the SAME INFORMATION contained on the hard drive of Computer A.

 

Please note that under the Windows peer-to-peer network configuration, devices like Printers may also be shared.

 

TM Pro provides a complete suite of Network Administration features.  Please click Here to find out how to setup the Logon/User ID choices, optional passwords, and permission levels for your system.